The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1887-03-03
A CONvICT'S ROMANCE.

den has just come to light. Thirty
eight years ago Calvin Lyons was .
young mechanic in Posey county, In
diana. He had but one fault. ant
that was successive indulgence in in
toxicants. One night he quarreleC
with bosom friend with whom hi
had been drinking in saloon, anC
shot him through the heart. The
young man was tried, convicted o.
manslaughter, and sent to the prison
south of Jacksonville for twenty-one
years. He served two years, and one
cold night in March, 1850, he resolv,
ed to escape or die. He had secret
ly made tools and had them hidden
in his cell. When the great bell be-
gan tolling the hour at 9 o'clock, he
commenced the work OF cutting a
hole in the wall. He worked indus
triously, and soon had one cut
through, and was in the corridor.
Here another wall confronted him.
Nothing daunted he went to work
and in couple of hours had cut a
hole big enough to crawl through.
He then made the startling discovery
that the hole was at least forty feet
from the ground. While he was con-
sidering what had best be done, the
guard came along and discovered
him. Before the latter could make
and outcry, Lyons sprang upon him,
and being powerful man, soon had
the official insensible upon the floor.
1t required but a few minutes to bind.
gag and strip the man OF his clothes,
which Lyons hastily donned. Lyons
then tore his bed clothes into strips,
with which he made rope and low
cred himself to the ground.
The steamer Sunhower was anchor
ed at the falls, and being short of
hands when Lyons volunteered to 90
to work, they accepted his offer. The
boat left for Southern waters. The
prison officials searched high and low
for him, but he could not be found.
In the meantime the steamer Sun
flower changed hands, and in two
years Lyons had become her captain.
He saved money and ran in the Red
River trade. One time while on a
visit to some frieLds at Deer Creek.
Miss, he conceived the idea of build
ing mammoth cotton gin. Not hav-
ing enough money of his own, he in
terested a wealthy planter in the
scheme, and the gin was built. Time
brought them prosperity and dame
fortune smiled sweetly upon them.
His partner had a daughter, and
she and Lyons fell deeply in love,
The latter did not wish to wed the
young lady without first telling them
of his former life, of which, pri-
or to this time, he had been mysteri-
ously reticent. Calling the young
lady and her father into the Office
one day, he made clean breast of
the affair. At its conclusion he told
the father that he was in love with
his daughter, and asked if he would
give her to an escaped convict. The
old man considered the matter and
at last gave his consent. They were
married, and children grew up to
bless their household. His wife's
father died and made over his prop
erty to his son-in-law, who was then
worth in the neighborhood of $780,
600.
When the war broke out he Joined
the Confederate army to battle for
the South. He made gallant SOL
der and won distinction for himself
on many a CORY field. After peace
again overspread the land, he resum.
ed business, and is now wealthy
honored resident of Deer Creek. His
hair is silvered and his face is wrin.
kled, but he is still hale and hearty
and he has nearly reached three score
Of years.
Some eight or nine years ago q
gentleman passed through Deer
Creek and stopped over night with
Mr.. Lyons. He mentioned that he
was from Jacksonville, and the host
proceeded to tell him his story.
care you not afraid to tell me this
MIR. Lyons p said the gentleman.
"No," said the host. "The people
here wouldn't see me arrested and
taken back to prison, and l defy the
officers to try it."
The gentleman has since cores.
ponded regularly with his Southern
host, and few days ago, for the frst
time related the incident. The hole
Lyons cut through the front of the
prison is still visible, although it has
been patched, and on the books il
marked: "Calvin Lyons escaped
March, 1850" 1t is probable no at
tempt will be made to bring hin
back, and that the man will spenC
the few remaining days Of his life il
the Southern town in which his in
dustry won him fortune.
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